Chargers sign Jonas Mouton

Posted by Josh Alper on July 27, 2011, 3:40 PM EDT

AP

We have our first second-round pick under contract.

The Chargers and linebacker Jonas Mouton agreed to terms on Wednesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Mouton was the best player on a bad Michigan defense last season and wasn’t expected to go quite as high as he did in the draft. Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith saw something different than most analysts, however.

The Chargers signed Takeo Spikes on Tuesday, but Kevin Burnett may be pricing himself out of San Diego. Brandon Siler and Stephen Cooper are also free agents, so Mouton steps into a depth chart that could provide him some opportunity to win playing time in the near future.

Mouton was selected with the pick the Chargers acquired from the Jets in exchange for Antonio Cromartie before the 2010 season. They also selected defensive back Marcus Gilchrist in the second round this April and have six other draft picks to get under contract.